As the excitement builds for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has delivered a stern message to his players, emphasizing that the IPL is not about the glitz and glamour associated with Bollywood or after-parties but a platform for serious cricket.
Gautam Gambhir, who successfully captained KKR to two IPL titles during his tenure, expressed his views during an interview on Star Sports, stating, “I made it very clear on Day 1 that IPL, for me, is serious cricket. It’s not about Bollywood, it’s not about you, it’s not about after parties and stuff. It’s about going out there and playing competitive cricket, and that’s the reason why I feel it is the toughest league in the world because it is proper cricket.”
IPL significance
The seasoned opener Gautam Gambhir, who recently returned to KKR as their mentor after a stint with Lucknow Super Giants, stressed the significance of the IPL on the global cricket stage.
“It is probably closest to international cricket as compared to any other league, and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you should be able to deliver on the cricket field,” Gautam Gambhir added.
KKR ready for IPL 2024
KKR, the third franchise to secure multiple IPL titles after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, aims to reclaim their former glory. Despite their impressive track record, the team faced setbacks in the last couple of seasons, finishing in the seventh spot and missing out on the playoffs.
Gautam Gambhir hails KKR fans
Gautam Gambhir also acknowledged the passionate fanbase of Kolkata, emphasizing the need for the team to stay honest and bring joy to their supporters. “I think there are very passionate fans. We need to be honest to them. We need to try and probably bring that happiness on their smiles because I’ve always believed the most loyal fans have been fans from Kolkata,” he said.
The former captain urged the players to focus on on-field performances rather than off-field activities. “KKR should not be known for off-field activities. They should be known for what we deliver on the cricket field,” Gambhir concluded, setting a serious tone for the upcoming IPL season and inspiring the team to prioritize their cricketing prowess over distractions.
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